The Contiguity Principle is when text, audio, or graphics are put together or beside each other to help explain or makes a lesson easier to understand. It is recommended that corresponding graphics have printed words or text that are placed near each other on the screen, so that the individual can grasp what is happening with the graphics. (Clark &Mayer, 2011) For example, you have a chart or a bar graphic that you might be using in a course that has some really wonderful colors and has a variety of different lengths of bars that are color coded but there are no words that explain the title of the chart (typically graphics have a title regarding what is being discussed) as well as two labels describing the axis (each axis will have the information, typically with numbers or percentages). It’s important that when you design an e-learning activity that includes a graphic or picture that the individuals utilize the Contiguity Principle by making sure that the text makes sense to where it is located on or by the picture or chart. If the text is not close to where it should be then individuals may be very confused and they might also read the information incorrectly, such as in a chart or bar graph. It might be very helpful to also include arrows that include text by the arrow, if an instructor is trying to show various steps that might need to be taken for example in a math problem or even walking through a certain task.
Violations of the Contiguity Principle:
Directions to complete an exercise are on a separate screen
Feedback being showing on a separate screen
Text placed in an incorrect place from the specific graphic
Graphic are numbered and a ledged is at the bottom of the screen that might not be seen.
Examples of the Contiguity Principle:
In the above example, the contiguity principle is followed because the labels for the parts of the brain are placed physically near the parts of the brain to which they correspond. (Francom, n.d.)
In the above example, the contiguity principle is violated because the labels indicating the parts of the brain are physically separated from the image of the brain. (Francom, n.d.)
Violations of the Contiguity Principle:
Examples of the Contiguity Principle:
In the above example, the contiguity principle is followed because the labels for the parts of the brain are placed physically near the parts of the brain to which they correspond. (Francom, n.d.)
In the above example, the contiguity principle is violated because the labels indicating the parts of the brain are physically separated from the image of the brain. (Francom, n.d.)
Price of Corn versus Quantity Demanded
http://cstl.syr.edu/fipse/tabbar/revbar/revbar.htm
How much people tip
Source: Poretz and Sinrod, The First Really Important Survey of American Habits, 1989
http://socrates.bmcc.cuny.edu/cpe/barexe1.html